Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and BlueStacks have teamed up to let consumers run Android apps on their AMD-powered PCs.

The two firms today unveiled the AMD AppZone Player, which will let PC users download Android apps that are currently only available on smartphones and tablets. That includes options like Fruit Ninja, Drag Racing, Battlefield 3, and more.

"Why would you want to run Android apps on your PC? For starters, the Android app ecosystem is huge, boasting more than 500,000 apps," AMD said in a blog post. "And, increasingly consumers have a mix of platforms across their devices, for example an Android phone and a Windows based PC. Maybe you like the Android version of the app better than the alternatives or maybe there isn't an alternative available at all."

AMD said BlueStacks designed the AMD AppZone Player for the company's Radeon graphics and OpenGL drivers so users will get that big-screen experience after downloading the apps.

BlueStacks secured about $7.6 million in funding from various investors back in May 2011. AMD later made an undisclosed investment in BlueStacks as well in order to optimize BlueStacks for AMD's accelerated processing units (APUs) in notebook and tablet PCs. AMD invested via its AMD Fusion Fund, which makes strategic investments in companies that are developing "unique, digital consumer and professional experiences that harness the horsepower of AMD Fusion Accelerated Processing Unit (APU) products," AMD said.

About the Author

Chloe Albanesius has been with PCMag.com since April 2007, most recently as Executive Editor for News and Features. Prior to that, she worked for a year covering financial IT on Wall Street for Incisive Media. From 2002 to 2005, Chloe covered technology policy for The National Journal's Technology Daily in Washington, DC. She has held internships a... See Full Bio

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